MORE NEWS, 1-6: NEW ENERGY WILL MAKE MICH RICH; CANADA NEEDS U.S.-LIKE NEW ENERGY MONEY; BIG MONEY TO WIRES; MANAGING EMISSIONS WILL MAKE BIG MONEY

NEW ENERGY WILL MAKE MICH RICH
Study Says Mich. Climate Plan Would Boost Economy; Independent study says Michigan's plan to fight climate change also would boost state economy
John Flesher, January 4, 2009 (AP via ABC News)

"Michigan could gain a significant economic boost and thousands of new jobs by reducing emissions of gases that cause climate change, according to [The Macroeconomic Impact of the Michigan Climate Action Council Climate Action Plan on the State’s Economy]…by the Center for Climate Strategies [CCS]…[The] plan devised last year for battling global warming in Michigan would help limit the state's heat-trapping gas emissions over the next 15 years.

"But more than the environment would benefit…[CCS] projected gains of 129,000 jobs, a $25 billion uptick in the gross state product and lower prices for home energy sources such as electricity, oil and natural gas…"

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"Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2007 established the Michigan Climate Action Council, consisting of academic experts and representatives of industry, environmental groups and government agencies…The council last February recommended 54 steps to reduce the state's contribution to climate change. Most involved greater use of alternative energy and stepped-up efficiency in manufacturing, farming, transportation and other sectors…

"Michigan began taking steps in that direction in 2008 with legislation requiring that 10 percent of the state's electricity come from renewable sources within seven years. It also ordered utilities to become more efficient…The climate action plan calls for additional steps, such as greener building construction, greater use of rail transport, more recycling and urban tree plantings."

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"The study concluded that, combined with actions already under way, the climate action plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions to more than 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2025…While acknowledging a lower-carbon economy would eliminate some jobs, the study predicted a net gain of 129,000 as alternative energy producers expand…

"Doug Roberts, environmental policy director for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, praised the report for acknowledging a continued role for coal and nuclear power in the state's future…But he questioned its finding that conservation and efficiency would lower residential prices for electricity, gasoline, oil and natural gas by 2025 as the state relies increasingly on alternative energy — which, for now at least, is costlier than traditional fuels…The Michigan Environmental Council said the report should give policymakers more incentive to work against global warming…"


CANADA NEEDS U.S.-LIKE NEW ENERGY MONEY
Canada falling behind U.S. in clean-energy efforts: experts
Mike De Souza, December 26, 2009 (Vancouver Sun)

"The Harper government is distancing itself from U.S. President Barack Obama’s clean-energy agenda, warn some of those involved in one of Canada fastest-growing clean-energy sectors…[New Energy] industry leaders say the federal government must do more to support sustainable development in Canada…Two key national programs that promote renewable energy and clean technologies are running out of cash, but officials still don’t know whether the government intends to renew their funding…

"The wind-energy industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. In Canada, while other industries suffered through the economic slowdown, the wind industry set a record in 2009 by introducing 900 megawatts in new wind-energy projects. The total capacity in Canada has risen from 322 megawatts in 2003 to 3,250 megawatts in wind power."

New Energy will allow Canada's ag sector to get in the energy game. (click thru to learn more)

"The existing Canadian government ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program offers a guaranteed production incentive for new projects over a 10-year period, but more than 90 per cent of its funding of $1.4 billion has been committed, leaving little incentives for additional projects…[while] the [comparable] U.S. program has already been extended to 2012 and offers [domestic or foreign] producers nearly three times more support in incentives…

"Meanwhile…Sustainable Development Technology Canada [established in 2001]has already partnered with companies on nearly 200 different projects to offer funding and help raise private capital for new clean-technology products…[but will need new funding to give Canadian companies the support they need] to compete with their counterparts in the U.S. and Asia…[It] recently received a $500-million grant to support development of next-generation ethanol production from waste products, but it has almost run out of funding to pursue new climate-change, clean-air, clean-water and clean-soil technologies."

Canada has great wind assets and it would be a shame if poor political leadership leaves them undeveloped. (click to enlarge)

"…[A Canadian] Natural Resources [Department] spokesperson said the government was pleased with the results of Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the ecoENERGY program…[and] has set a goal of having 90 per cent of Canada’s electricity provided by non-emitting sources by 2020, up from about 70 per cent today, but has not yet introduced a detailed plan to achieve that goal…

"About one per cent of Canada’s power comes from wind-energy sources, compared to about two per cent in the United States…[but] a recent U.S. government report…concluded that it could raise that proportion to 20 per cent at a cost of about $0.50 per month on the average household’s utility bill."


BIG MONEY TO WIRES
DOE Announces $60 Million to Support Transmission Planning
December 23, 2009 (Clean Edge)

"Energy Secretary Steven Chu…announced award selections for $60 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support transmission planning for the country's three interconnection transmission networks. The 6 awards will promote collaborative long-term analysis and planning for the Eastern, Western and Texas electricity interconnections, which will help states, utilities, grid operators, and others prepare for future growth in energy demand, renewable energy sources, and Smart Grid technologies. This represents the first-ever effort to take a collaborative, comprehensive look across each of the three transmission interconnections.

"Secretary Chu also announced that he has joined with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Jon Wellinghoff to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies to coordinate efforts related to interconnection-level electric transmission planning. DOE will lead electricity-related research and development activities, including research and demonstrations for hardware and software technologies that help operate the country’s transmission networks. FERC will continue to oversee electricity reliability standards nationally and will enforce regulations to ensure that all transmission planning happens in an open, transparent and non- discriminatory manner."

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"The transmission infrastructure in the continental United States is separated into three distinct electrical networks, or "interconnections"– the Eastern, Western, and Texas interconnections…Portions of the Eastern and Western interconnections also extend into Canada and Mexico. Within each interconnection, the addition of new electricity supply sources and the development of transmission needed to deliver electricity to consumers requires careful coordination to maintain the grid’s reliability while limiting costs and environmental impacts.

"…As a result of [the announced] planning efforts, each of the awardees will produce long-term resource and transmission planning studies in 2011, with updated documents in 2013. The knowledge and perspective gained from this work will inform policy and regulatory decisions in the years to come and provide critical information to electricity industry planners, states and others to develop a modernized, low-carbon electricity system."

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"The awards…are divided into two topic areas – funding for transmission planners and funding for state agencies…[T]he first topic area will fund transmission planners' work with stakeholder organizations within an interconnection to project options for alternative electricity supplies and the associated transmission requirements. The second…will go to state agencies or groups of agencies to develop coordinated interconnection priorities and planning processes.

"The following organizations have been selected…Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative - $16 million…Eastern Interconnection States’ Planning Council - $14 million…Western Electricity Coordinating Council - $14.5 million…Western Governors’ Association - $12 million …Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) - $2.5 million…Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for work with Texas government agencies - $1 million"


MANAGING EMISSIONS WILL MAKE BIG MONEY
Carbon Management Software and Services; Business Drivers, Policy Issues, Enterprise Adoption Patterns, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecasts
Marianne Hedrin and Clint Wheelock, 1Q 2010 (Pike Research)

"…Enterprise carbon management is now being adopted and implemented all over the world…Climate change is a very complex national and international issue that affects practically every company, government agency, industry sector, and country…Today, [carbon management ] is a relatively small and nascent market that Pike Research estimates reached about $209 million worldwide in 2008 in terms of spending for software and external services. But it is fast-growing market. Between 2008 and 2009, Pike Research believes the carbon management market has grown by nearly 84% globally, representing a total market of $384 million…

"…North America will provide one of the most promising market opportunities in the years ahead…Pike Research forecasts that North America will grow to a market size
of about $228.5 million in 2010, experiencing a growth rate of over 75% between 2009 and 2010. The 2008-2017 compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the region will be more than 44%, which is somewhat above the total worldwide growth rate…"

Nothing is valid on the Big Board of international emissions trading if the calculations are not accurate and verified. (click to enlarge)

"In Western Europe, Pike Research believes that spending for carbon management
software and services will reach $297 million in 2010 and experience a 9-year CAGR of
almost 37%. But demand for carbon management in the Western Europe market begins to
lose ground to that in North America during 2013. At that time, the latter will become the leading marketplace globally, a position it keeps through 2017…Asia Pacific will represent the third-largest carbon management market at $83 million in 2010, and it is expected to grow at almost the same rate as Western Europe. In 2017, Asia Pacific will represent a fairly large market of $457 million, accounting for more than 10% of carbon management spending worldwide…

"There are many factors contributing to these robust growth rates, but the increasingly tough regulatory environment with respect to GHG emissions has so far had the most significant impact…Regardless of what happened in Copenhagen, the low-carbon momentum has already begun to take root around the world…In addition to the influence of legislation on demand for carbon management software and services, large global suppliers and manufacturers, such as Wal-Mart, are starting to enforce supply chain mandates on their own suppliers…Corporations increasingly have to address concerns among their shareholders, as well as customers or consumers…[O]rganizations will soon be faced with the major challenge of measuring, monitoring, and reporting on the increasing volume of carbon emissions data required by regulations and/or supply chain mandates…[and] cap-and-trade schemes…This will require a sophisticated and comprehensive carbon management approach. Practically every industry sector is and will be affected…"

APX is one of the leaders in the incipient U.S. emissions management sector. Click thru to their library of information on the subject.

"Organizations will need software tools and help from services providers to address their carbon footprint challenges. Both the software and services markets related to carbon management will be strong and vibrant. Pike Research forecasts that the software market will reach $132 million in 2009 and grow to over $1.2 billion in 2017 at a CAGR of more than 37%. The services market, which primarily includes consulting, implementation, and outsourcing services, will be somewhat larger at $248 million in 2009. It will grow to over $3 billion in 2017 at a CAGR of 41.5%.

"…Today, the vendor landscape is very fragmented…First, both software and services vendors must make sure they can offer a holistic and comprehensive supply chain approach that addresses the entire supply chain from production through distribution. Second, it is critical to be able to align solutions or services offerings to the customer’s business goals and demonstrate a tangible business outcome from any implementation. Third, vendors must show that they “practice what they preach” because customers care about vendors’ own carbon reduction philosophy and practices…Looking ahead, the challenges are many. However, companies can still meet three important objectives – people, profit, and the planet – by implementing a carbon management program."